Shrouded vertical axis dual-turbine generator

ABSTRACT

The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator is a system consisting of a superstructure in the shape of a symmetrical foil, with a vertical axis turbine set into the camber of each side. The leading edge of the superstructure increases the speed of the water or air current passing around the generator. The trailing edge creates a slip stream which reduces turbulence. Shutters on each side of the superstructure control the amount of current in contact with the turbines by sliding forward or rearward to increase or decrease flow to the turbines. The turbines are modular in design and can be customized into longer or shorter turbines, depending on application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of Provisional application No. 60/904,411

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alternative energy sources are greatly needed as we reach peak oil. Coal is plentiful, and would last for centuries, but the pollution and environmental destruction caused by the coal industry is great. The majority of wind energy is produced with extremely large horizontal axis turbines. One of the problems with these turbines is the turbulence created by these large blades. As a result of this turbulence, these turbines must be spaced three to ten times their diameter apart (side to side) and in rows five to ten times their diameter apart, which, for a 300 foot diameter turbine, would be up to 3000 feet apart (side to side) and the rows of turbines up to 3000 feet apart as well. This creates a very inefficient use of space. The Shrouded Vertical-Axis Dual-Turbine Generator creates much less turbulence than these other turbines, allowing generators to be more closely spaced, greatly increasing potential output. Widespread use of the Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator will greatly increase the amount of energy available from clean energy sources. The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, when used in water, is a high output source of energy with a low profile, which is particularly important in tourist areas.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator is a generator to be used in water or in the air. The shrouded vertical axis turbine is composed of a super structure in the shape of a vertical, symmetrical foil. Vertical axis turbines are set into the camber of both sides of the foil. The super structure takes advantage of Bernoulli's principle, increasing the speed of the current of air or water. The trailing end of the foil creates a slip stream to eliminate energy-robbing turbulence which would adversely affect the efficiency of the turbines, and also reducing turbulence between generators, when multiple generators are placed together, to increase the efficient use of areas available for energy production.

The space between the foil and the turbine is narrower toward the front and wider toward the rear. The more open space to the rear creates a high pressure zone and the narrower space toward the front is a low pressure zone. The low pressure creates lift, drawing the blade around, back into the current.

The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator's turbine speed is controlled by shutters that slide in tracks. The shutters slide forward to expose the sides of the blades of the turbines which are not sheltered by the camber; the space between the super structure and the shutters is a negative pressure zone which helps to lift and draw the blades around into the current. In high speed currents the shutters slide back to isolate the turbines from the current. The design of the turbines takes advantage of the increased low pressure zone, drawing the blades back around when other turbines would need to shut down.

The design of the turbines eliminates pressure lock at start up and reduces back pressure at speed. The turbine is made of multiple blades that are staggered in a spiral pattern. The space between the tips of the blades reduces drag at full speed by reducing back pressure.

Our purpose in designing the Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator is to build a compact generator that can be utilized in situations where multiple generators are needed, with reduced turbulence between generators, in order to better utilize areas available for energy production; and to make a generator that works in very low to very high current speeds in wind and in water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top view of a single blade

FIG. 2 is a view of multiple blades arranged into a vertical axis turbine

FIG. 3 is a top view of the Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator

FIG. 4 is a side view of the Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator is a generator designed to work in air or water. The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine

Generator consists of a super structure in the shape of a symmetrical foil with vertical axis turbines mounted into each side. The design of the super structure takes advantage of Bernoulli's principle by splitting the current of either water or air, increasing the velocity of the current. Bernard in 1998 and Pohl in 1979 both sought to take advantage of Bernoulli's principle, to increase energy output by splitting the flow around a leading edge to power turbines on each side. Pohl did this with a modified tower structure which employed flaps. Bernard sought to increase output with the use of a foil, adjusting the camber of the foil to control the flow of water or air over the turbines. He states in his invention that the turbines are behind the foil; the turbines are behind the trailing edge of his foil. The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator has a rigid foil, the trailing edge of which extends past the turbines, which are set into the camber of each side of the foil. The trailing edge and the camber on each side are used to control turbulence and to create lift. The camber creates a high pressure area at the rear of each turbine, helping to increase the efficiency of each turbine. The camber helps to lift the turbine back around into the current. The trailing edge of the foil helps to create a slip stream to reduce turbulence. The reduced turbulence enables multiple generators to be placed closer together, allowing more efficient use of land and water areas available for power generation. The reduced turbulence would allow generators to be linked in line to reduce the cost of underwater grid connections and moorings.

The speed of the turbines in the Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generators is controlled with shutters that slide to allow or restrict the flow of the current over the turbine blades. The shutters are attached in tracks that start along the leading edge of the foil and continue along each side of the superstructure, above and below the turbines. A flow meter measures the speed of the current. The speed of the current and the speed of the turbines determine the position of the shutters. The shutters can close to the point that the turbines are isolated from direct interaction with the current of air or water and still operate due to the draw created by the low pressure zone which is between the foil and the turbine blades. This enables the Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator to operate during gale force winds and in storm conditions. The shutters also protect the blades from potential damage caused by debris in the water during storm conditions.

The turbines of the Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generators are of a modular design, comprised of multiple blades. The blades are offset in a spiral pattern, which leaves gaps between the tips of the blades. The gaps between the tips of the blades of the turbines reduce drag and reduce the amount of energy needed for start up. The existence of the gaps between the tips of the blades eliminates back pressure when the turbines are running at speed.

FIG. 1 Top View of a Blade

1. Blade

FIG. 2 Top View of a Turbine

1. Blade

2. Turbine

FIG. 3 Top View of The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator

2. Turbine

3. Open Shutter

4. Super Structure

5. Generator

6. Drive Connection

7. Shutter Track

8. Leading Edge

9. Camber

10. Trailing Edge

11. Closed Shutter

FIG. 4 Side View of The Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator

12. Turbine

4. Super Structure

7. Shutter Track

8. Leading Edge

9. Camber

10. Trailing Edge

11. Closed Shutter 

1. A shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator comprised of: (1) A superstructure in the shape of a symmetrical foil which holds two turbines and a generator or a pump (2) Vertical axis turbines that are set into the camber of each side of the foil and are connected to a generator or a pump (3) Adjustable shutters to control the amount of air or water that flows over the turbines
 2. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, where the leading edge of a symmetrical foil-shaped superstructure splits the current of air or water to accelerate the air or water which flows over the turbines which are set into the camber on each side of the foil.
 3. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator where the shape of the camber in each side of the foil creates a high pressure zone at the rearward portion of the turbine, relative to the low pressure of the area at the forward portion of the turbine.
 4. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 3, where the camber of each side of the superstructure does not affect the speed of the current of air or water passing over the turbines.
 5. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 3, where the camber of the sides of the superstructure is fixed.
 6. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 3, where the camber in each side of the superstructure creates a low pressure zone that creates lift, drawing the turbine back around into the current of air or water.
 7. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, where the turbines are of a modular design, comprised of multiple blades.
 8. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, where there is space between the tips of the blades to reduce drag by reducing pressure.
 9. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, where the shutters slide forward, in tracks, to fully expose the portion of the turbines which is not sheltered by the camber.
 10. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, where the shutters slide back, in tracks, to cover the portion of the turbines which is not sheltered by the camber, separating the turbines from the current of air or water.
 11. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, where a flow meter controls the amount that an actuator opens or closes shutters to control the flow of water or air over the turbines.
 12. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, that pivots on a base to face into the wind.
 13. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, that has a wind vane that controls an actuator that pivots the generator into the wind.
 14. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, that floats.
 15. A Shrouded Vertical Axis Dual-Turbine Generator, as claimed in claim 1, that has a rudder which directs the leading edge of the generator into the current. 